Dodge›Neon›2001›2.0L/dodge/neon/2001/2-0l/

PL platform

2001 Dodge Neon — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Neon 2.0L. Covers both the standard and High Output 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic 3-spd

The 2001 Dodge Neon 2.0L arrives as a PL-platform passenger car powered by a 2.0-liter engine mated to a three-speed automatic, returning 21/28/24 mpg and taking 4.5 quarts of 5W-30 API oil with a filter change. Its reliability profile shows 155 owner complaints and ten recalls, with air bags ranking as the top complaint area — a notable but far cry from the model's 1995 peak of 1,196 complaints across the 1993–2005 production run, and well above the 1993 low of just three. That positioning suggests the 2001 edition sits in the middle of the Neon's quality curve, reflecting meaningful improvement over the troubled early years while still carrying enough documented issues to warrant close inspection of recall completion and air-bag system integrity.

Model year2005 2004 2003 2001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy21/28/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 26R · 450 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04105409AE. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and front wiper blades are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 26R · 450 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP185-65R14OEM · verified

Wheel / rim5.5-J, Optional tire: 6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04105409AE
Engine air filter	04891097AA discontinued
Fuel filter	05278631AA discontinued · alt 04897416AB
Spark plug	68304149AA
Battery	BB26R001AA
Front wiper blades	05014794AA discontinued · alt 05014795AA
Serpentine belt	04668241AE alt 04668249AB
Thermostat	P5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 3-spd

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	21 / 28 / 24 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	90 cu ft
Cargo volume	13 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	4.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	100 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	160 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	950 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	350 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	Champion
Spark Plug Gap	0.033-0.038 in
Spark Plug Torque	18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.875 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	ND 8 oil
Oil Capacity	6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	26R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	450 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	58.0 + or - 5.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle	16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	16 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.312; Rear: 0.281 Specifications
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.344 in / 0.861 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil

1	25.0 ft. lbs.	25 ft. lbs
2	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
3	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Lubricate bolts with clean engine oil

1	25.0 ft. lbs.	25 ft. lbs
2	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
3	50 ft. lbs.	50 ft. lbs
4	90 degrees	90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 22,500 mi	Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (replace)
Every 100,000 mi	Timing Belt (replace)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified

Tool required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module

Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified

When needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2001 Dodge Neon recorded 155 complaints and 10 recalls, representing a sharp decrease in complaints compared to the 381 reported for the 2000 model year. Across the generation, complaints peaked at 1,196 in 1995 and generally trended downward, though the 2000-2001 period experienced a secondary spike in recall volume. For 2001, the most frequent complaints involved air bags (28) and hydraulic service brakes (19), although the data does not specify the root causes of these issues. This year also registered 35 crash complaints and one fire complaint. While 2001 shows fewer complaints than the 2002 and 2003 models, its recall count is higher than any year between 2002 and 2005. Because it sits in a period of declining complaints relative to the generation's peak, this is a good year to buy as long as all 10 recalls have been addressed.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

155

Owner complaints

35 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00’01’02 ’03 ’04 ’05

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 155 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags28

Service Brakes, Hydraulic19

Electrical System12

Engine & Engine Cooling12

Structure9

Steering9

Exterior Lighting8

Vehicle Speed Control6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

08E050000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/08/2008

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF… Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 47 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
9004275	2020-07-22	Electrical System	KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
23-015-20	2020-04-30	Equipment	Disinfectant Solution Recommended for COVID-19
08-049-20	2020-04-22	Electrical System	Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
3100519	2019-11-20	Structure	Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Neon. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 26R battery Vehicles taking 4.5 qt w/ filter PL-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04105409AE Engine air filter 04891097AA Fuel filter 05278631AA Spark plug 68304149AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2001 Neon 2.0L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2001 Neon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.